Machine for stemming fruit.



J. B. FOOTE. MACHINE FOR STEMMING FRUIT.

APPLICATION FILED 1uN s. 1914.

1,298,488. Patented M111. 1919.

4 SllEETS-SHEET J. B. FOOTE.

MACHINE Foa STEMMING Faun.

APPLICATION FILED )UNI-I8. |914. 1,298,488, Patented Mar. 25,1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I. B. FOOTE.

MACHINE FOR STEMIVIING FRUIT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 8. |914.

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Patented Miu'. 25, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3f rm: Nonni: uns ca. moraunm.. wuummou, n f

1. B. FOUTE.

MACHINE FOR STE-MMING FRUIT.

APPLICATION FILED IUNE 8. 1914.

1,298,488. Patented Mar. 25, 1919.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4. f@

JOHN B. FOOTE, OF OAK PARK, ILLINOIS.

MACHINE Fon lSTEM/LING FRUIT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 25, 1919.

Application filed J une 8, 1914. Serial No. 843,654.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, JOHN B. Foo'rn, a resident of Oak Park, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Machines for Stemming Fruit, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to machines for stemming fruit, and more particularly fresh fruit which must not be abraded or pressed in removing the stems, such as cherries and similar fruit.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved fruit-stemming machine, which will handle or remove the stems from a large quantity of cherries. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved machine, which is efficient in removing both long and short stems from fruit. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved machine of this character which will remove the stems without marring or abrading the fruit.

Lastly, the invention designs to provide an improved machine for stemming fruit.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of a machine embodyinvr the invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation. F 1g. 3 is a central longitudinal section. Fig. 4 is a cross-section'taken on line Ll-l of Fig. 1.

The supporting-means of the machine comprises end frames 10 and 11, which are connected together by bars 9 and provided with bearings 12 and 14, respectively, for a shaft 15 which carries a helical or screwconveyer .16 whereby the fruit will be fed longitudinally through the machine.

A hopper 17, which is adapted to receive the fruit in bulk, is mounted on bars 9 above the conveyer 16. A helical or screw-conveyer 18 is journaled in the end-frames 19 and 20 of hopper 17, to feed the fruit in regulated quantity through a discharge duct 21 in one end of the hopper 17. The screw-conveyer 18 agitates the fruit in the hopper and 1s driven at the desired speed to feed the fruit in regulated quantity, as fast as necessary to keep the stemming mechanism supplied with fruit. Duct 21 is disposed to deliver the fruit to the inlet end of the conveyer 16. Conveyer 16 operates in a trough 22 formed by curved or semi-cylindrical plate which is supported at the sides of the conveyer-screw upon bars 24 which are suitably secured in the end-frames 10 and 1l. The troughplate 22 is formed with series of openings 25, which are elongated in the direction of the rotation of this conveyer 16, to receive the projecting stems of the fruit which is fed longitudinally through the trough by the blades of the conveyer 16. The'fruit, besides being conveyed long'tudinally through the trough by the screw, will be tumbled or frictionally rolled upwardly and toward one side of the trough by the blade of helical conveyer 16. As a result ofthis operation, the stems of the fruit, in being fed through the trough, may pass into the perforations adjacent the bottom of the trough and also into the perforations at the side'of the vertical plane extending through the axis of the screw.

In some instances, the tumbling action and forward movement of the fruit, resulting from the operation of the helical'conveyer, and the passino' of the stems in the perforations 25, is su 'cient to remove long stems passing through the perforations 25. In many cases, however, removal of the stems by the perforations in the trough 22, cannot be relied upon, and to insure the removal of all the stems, a cylindrical plate 27 is fitted on the outside of trough-plate 22 and has perforations 28 therein, similar and corresponding to the perforations 25 in plate 22, to coact with the stationary trough-plate in gripping the stems. Plate 27 is secured to bars 29 which have terminals 30 slidably mounted in guide-holes formed in endframes 10 and 11 respectively.

Reciprocating motion is imparted to the plate 27 by pitmen 31 which are pivoted respectively, to the side-bars 29 at 32 and to eccentric or crank-portions 33 of a shaft 34. In the reciprocation of plate 27, the holes 28 pass into registry with the holes 25 in the stationary plate when the stems may pass through the holes in both plates, and when the said holes pass out of registry, the stems will be gripped between the edges of the fopenings in the plates during movement of plate 27 in either direction. are formed, notto clip ot the stems between them, but so they will sufiiciently grip the stems, which under the iniiu'ence omove-` ment imparted to theV fruit bythe conveyer "16, will be retarded or held whilethe'ruit of the trough untilv it isV discharged from one endV thereof, onto an endless Abelt 387V whichmay be of usuall construction f and Von which the fruit maybe inspected, if desired, 'and wherebyfth'e vfruitfwill be carried to any desired point-ot delivery. lThis belt 38 is secured to chains 39'driven bysprocketwheels `3,5 on a Ashaft 36. VThe 'ihains V39V v f travel on'a suitable track 37,'as well .under-VV stood inthe-art. "The endframe 10 is eX-V tendedto overlie a'portion of the inspectionbelt 38 and is openat its bottonn'so` that the fruit, when dischargedfromI the `trough byVA conveyer l6,`will ble-delivered onto Ythe'said The stems pass through the perforations inplates and drop Ybeneath the machine." A driveshaft 40 is mounted inthe end-A rame l1 andis Vdrivenbya pulley 41'. A beveled lpinion* 42on s'aid shaftme'shes :with

a 'gear 43 whichisisecu'red toshaft 15jtol drive the helicalv conveyer 16. "A'sprocke't-y drives a chainVV 48 fwhich' .drives a sprocket 49-on shaft: 36,V which drives the inspectionVr belt. Af'gear 50 on shaft 40, drives a pin-vv ion 51 on AVeccentric-'shaft134 to operatethe crank-pinsrto 'which pitmen 31 Y' are connected. v

A guarid54 isfpivoted; as at55, toionefoi" lthe frame-bars 9 to 'one side of the 'trougheplate 22 to prevent and -eXtends downwardly the fruit :from being thrown-over the side of the trough. Y A spray-piper60, connected toa suitable water supply, is disposed to 'discharge waterv onto the conveyer 16 to prevent it roin'bel coming of thefruit. l Y i Y y The invention thus `eXempliies a machine for removing the stems1 offi'resh fruit, which is adapted: to handle large` quantities otVY fruity The-perforated VYtrough and the coacti'ng perforated reciprocating l'plates are veryfeffective in'reniovingthe stems from the fruit, because of gtheflarge activearea of' i, the -perfo'ratedtrough which results in the stems of the? fruit being Vgrippedlrand sep;-

These plates Y' spirit and scope of the invention."y .f Y Having thus described the invention,whatV l claim as new and desire to secure by' V`Let- Y VVheld by the gripping means. Y Wheel 44,'driven by a gearV 43, drives a chain i 45 anda sprocketewheel 46 on A-the shaft of the feed-screwflS to operateV said screw A sprocket -47 valso rotatingjwith gear 43,'

guniinedforf sticky from the juice arated from the fruit at one timeor another before the fruit is Viina'lly dischargedfrom the trough. The'machine V4is-simpleeinconstruction andV has a large capacity. ,Y The hopper. from which the feed-screw supplies".V y

thefruit in regulated quantities to the steml rlhe invention is not to be understood restricted to the` details set forth, since these ended claims without de artinofroin the P a P e Y Y ters Patent, is: Y Y Y' p l. In almachine for'stemining 'ruit,-tlie may be modified, withinthe scope Yot tliedapcombination of aVV stationary-trough, 'having perforations therein, means for conveying p the Jfruit longitudinallythrough the trough, and means for grippingVV the stems passing relatively to the trough while the stems `are held bythe gripping means.

`through said perforations to cause the stems 'to be severed by the movement of 4the'ruit 1 90v 2. In a machine-for stemming Vfruit,ftlfieY combination of a'perforated stationary plateV j forming a trough, means for conveying theV fruit longitudinally through the trough, and

means for lgripping Vthe stems 'passing L through said perforations to cai'ise the"V stems Atofbe severed bythe movement 03": the fruitV relativelyto the trough whileV the stems areV y 3.111 a .machine `for stem-ming fait,v uit conibinationlfof a rstationary troughhaving perforations in and VVabove thebottomneans i' Y for conveying the` fruit, longitudinally througli'the trough, andmeans VVfor gripping the stems passing through said-perforations to cause the stems to'be severed. bythe inoven inent'of the fruitrelat'ively 'to lthe trough` Y while ther'steins areY held by 'thel gripping means.

4. In a machine 'or'stemming ruitfthe" combination of a curved stationary plate having' peri'oratiens therein, forminga trough, means for conveying the fr'uit longi Vtudinallythrough the trouglnand'means for p gripping thestems vpassing through said` iioV perforations tocause the stems to be severed`V `v gripping means.Y

' oy the inoveifnent'ol1 the #fruit relativelyjto"!" the trough whilejthe stemsare held bythe combination of a trough, having lperfora`= f tions therein,1m'eans orconveying the'fruit Y longitudinally through the trouglnr and co'il- 1*" respondingly,peroratedmeans for gripping thefstems l passing through the trough.` v,

6: In amac'hine Vfor' f stemming fruit, the if combination of'a perforated plate forming aY trough, meansfor Yconveying the fruit-lon- .f

roo

gitudinally through the trough, and a perforated plate coacting With the perforated trough to grip the stems.

7. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a trough, having perforations in and above bottom, means for conveying the fruit longitudinally through the trough, and a correspondingly perforated plate coacting with the perforated trough to grip the stems.

8. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a curved perforated plate forming a trough, means for conveying the fruit longitudinally through the trough, and a correspondingly curved perforated plate coacting with the trough to grip the stems.

9. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a stationary trough having perforations therein, a helical conveyer extending longitudinally through the trough, for moving the fruit from end to end thereof, and means for gripping the stems passing through said perforations to cause the stems to be severed from the fruit by the movement of the fruit in the trough While the stems are being held by the gripping means.

10. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a stationary plate having perforations therein, forming a trough, a helical conveyer extending -longitudinally through the trough, for moving the fruit from end to end thereof, and means for gripping the stems passing through said plate to cause the stems to be severed from the fruit by the movement of the fruit in the trough While the stems are being held by the gripping means.

11. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a curved stationary trough having perforations in and above bottom, a helical conveyer extending longitudinally through the trough for moving the fruit from end to end thereof, and means for gripping the stems passing through said perforations to cause the stems to be severed from the fruit by the movement of the fruit in the trough While the stems are being held by the gripping means.

12. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a curved stationary plate having perforations therein, .forming a curved trough, a helical conveyer extending longitudinally through the trough, for moving the fruit from end to end thereof, and means for gripping the stems passing through said perforations to cause the stems to be severed from the fruit by the movement of the fruit in the trough While the stems are being held by the gripping means.

18. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a trough having perforations therein, means for conveying the fruit longitudinally through the trough, means for gripping the stems passing through the perforations in the trough, and mechanism for reciprocating the gripping-means.

14:. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a trough, having perforations therein, a helical conveyer for moving the fruit longitudinally through the trough, means for gripping the stems passing through the trough, and mechanism for reciprocating the gripping means.

15. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a curved trough having perforations therein, means for conveying the fruit longitudinally through the trough, a correspondingly curved perforated plate for gripping the stems passing through the trough, and mechanism for reciprocating the gripping plate.

16. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a trough having perforations therein, means for conveying the fruit longitudinally through the trough, means for gripping the stems passing through the perforat1ons, and mechanism for reciprocating the gripping-means longitudinally of the trough.

17. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a plate having perforations therein and forming a trough, a helical conveyer extending longitudinally through the trough for conveying the fruit from end to end thereof, and a perforated plate for gripping the stems passing through the trough.

18. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a curved plate having perforations therein and forming a trough, a helical conveyer extending longitudinally through the trough for conveying the fruit from end to end thereof and a curved perforated plate for gripping the stems passing through the trough.

19. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a plate having perforations therein and forming a trough, a helical conveyer extending longitudinally through the trough for conveying the fruit from end to end thereof, a perforated plate for gripping the stems passing through the trough and mechanism for reciprocating one of the plates.

20. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a curved plate having perforations therein, and forming a trough, a helical conveyer extending longitudinally through the trough for conveying the fruit from end to end thereof, a curved perforated plate for gripping the stems passing through the trough, and mechanism for reciprocating one of said plates.

21. In a machine for stemming fruit, the combination of a stationary trough, a helical conveyer for moving the material longitudinally through the trough, said trough having perforations into which the stems Y.trough and' Vatgftsttng the Yaloradnlfg `or Y crushing it.

Y'hfiajy'pass', and rotary-means having surfaces 22.1111 a, maohrle'for stemming fruit,V thejV combination of a perforated trough,V a helical conveyor for movngrthe material long- A tudnally through the trough, rotarymeztns means for gripping vthe stems passingA 10 through the. trough.

1/Vtnesses I Y MILDRED STUMPrgf vJKATHARINI@ GERLACH.

Copies f this patent may be Vobtzsne. for ve 'cents Vear-h, by addressing the Coulrmissi0116771"r f^I`Patre1`1rts,

Washington, D.-C. v I Y 

